Manchester born, Los Angeles raised artist Joshua Abarbanel’s work makes me feel feelings inside – all kinds of happy feelings. The three-dimensional sculptures are made up of cut wooden forms that are meticulously laid out and layered to form reef-like compositions of complex marine wonderlands. The elements are stained in various tones creating depth just like you’ll see on the ocean floor.

MegaReef 01 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 18′ x 10′ x 11″ as configured here
This current body of work, entitled See Life: New Works by Joshua Abarbanel, is on display at the Hinge Parallel Gallery in Culver City, California through July 26, 2014.

MegaReef 01 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 18′ x 10′ x 11″ as configured here

Reef 04 \\\ Wood \\\ 8′ x 5′ x 8″ as configured here

Reef 04 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 8′ x 5′ x 8″ as configured here

Installation vew

White on Black Reef 01 \\\ Wood \\\ 36″ x 60″ x 5″ as configured here

Black on White Reef 01 \\\ Wood \\\ 36″ x 60″ x 5″ as configured here

See Through \\\ Wood \\\ 8″ x 8″ x 18″

Reef 05 \\\ Wood

Reef 06 \\\ Wood

Reef 07 \\\ Wood
Caroline Williamson is the former Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk and a writer with a passion for modern design, architecture, and creative culture. She holds a BFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, solving New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or curating Spotify playlists.